SPEAK WITH GOOD PURPOSE – Speak honestly and kindly Think before you speak. Make sure your intention is positive and your words are sincere.
Words are powerful! They have the power to uplift and enlighten or put down and depress. A few cutting words spoken in a moment of anger can affect us for a long time, perhaps even a lifetime. On the other hand, a few kind words can make a very positive difference in how we feel about ourselves … sometimes for a lifetime.
What we say to others—and to ourselves—can have a huge impact. Speaking with good purpose is about always considering the intention of our words. It’s about communicating directly, clearly, honestly, and with a positive purpose. The first step is awareness. If we always think before we speak instead of just blurting out whatever comes to mind, we can learn to consider the reason for our words and make sure we are speaking with good purpose … will our words build someone up or put them down? We all sometimes have negative thoughts, but we don’t have to say everything we think.
1st Grade
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon is the book we read when opening a discussion on speak with good purpose.
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
Third grade students had a lesson from the counselor that reminded students to THINK before they speak. Students need to ask themselves if what they are saying is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary or Kind. In doing so, it has helped the children to be more aware of how their choice of words can help others or hurt others, when not chosen properly.
4th Grade
- Some of our classes began to use "Morning Meetings" or "connections" to help students practice how to greet each other, how to discuss problems they might have in class and how to share/have open discussions with each other.
5th Grade
Circle of Power and Respect- a 15 minute time to greet our classmates, share about the day and connect with others in our class.
During CPR, we sometimes bring out the "stinky fish". The stinky fish is those topics, such as rumors and name-calling, that we all usually try to avoid. We talk about how we can avoid, and put an end to rumors and name-calling.
During CPR our class does the history tip of the day. We recognize inventors, and people in history that have contributed to our society.
Specials
Music
We are very performance-based in music class, and part of polishing a performance is critique. We often record the students performing a piece they have learned, and as soon as we hit the last note they ask, "Can we hear it?!?". As we listen to the recording, they are asked to think of something they did well and something upon which they could improve. They have learned to choose their words thoughtfully when suggesting improvements, a true example of "speaking with good purpose".
Support
A great example of a book for "speak with good purpose" is 14 Cows for America. In this true story, the students hear about the kindness of the Maasai people of Kenya who are so sad for Americans after the events of 9/11. As an offering for healing for Americans, they choose 14 cows that they honor for America. At the end of the book, the author says, "Because there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort."
Speak With Good Purpose
SPEAK WITH GOOD PURPOSE – Speak honestly and kindlyThink before you speak. Make sure your intention is positive and your words are sincere.
Words are powerful! They have the power to uplift and enlighten or put down and depress. A few cutting words spoken in a moment of anger can affect us for a long time, perhaps even a lifetime. On the other hand, a few kind words can make a very positive difference in how we feel about ourselves … sometimes for a lifetime.
What we say to others—and to ourselves—can have a huge impact. Speaking with good purpose is about always considering the intention of our words. It’s about communicating directly, clearly, honestly, and with a positive purpose. The first step is awareness. If we always think before we speak instead of just blurting out whatever comes to mind, we can learn to consider the reason for our words and make sure we are speaking with good purpose … will our words build someone up or put them down? We all sometimes have negative thoughts, but we don’t have to say everything we think.
1st Grade
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon is the book we read when opening a discussion on speak with good purpose.
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
Third grade students had a lesson from the counselor that reminded students to THINK before they speak. Students need to ask themselves if what they are saying is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary or Kind. In doing so, it has helped the children to be more aware of how their choice of words can help others or hurt others, when not chosen properly.4th Grade
- Some of our classes began to use "Morning Meetings" or "connections" to help students practice how to greet each other, how to discuss problems they might have in class and how to share/have open discussions with each other.5th Grade
Circle of Power and Respect- a 15 minute time to greet our classmates, share about the day and connect with others in our class.During CPR, we sometimes bring out the "stinky fish". The stinky fish is those topics, such as rumors and name-calling, that we all usually try to avoid. We talk about how we can avoid, and put an end to rumors and name-calling.
During CPR our class does the history tip of the day. We recognize inventors, and people in history that have contributed to our society.
Specials
MusicWe are very performance-based in music class, and part of polishing a performance is critique. We often record the students performing a piece they have learned, and as soon as we hit the last note they ask, "Can we hear it?!?". As we listen to the recording, they are asked to think of something they did well and something upon which they could improve. They have learned to choose their words thoughtfully when suggesting improvements, a true example of "speaking with good purpose".
Support
A great example of a book for "speak with good purpose" is 14 Cows for America. In this true story, the students hear about the kindness of the Maasai people of Kenya who are so sad for Americans after the events of 9/11. As an offering for healing for Americans, they choose 14 cows that they honor for America. At the end of the book, the author says, "Because there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort."